A69578(T3196)
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Tanto signed KANENORI with) Black Stone-surface lacquered scabbard Chi'sa Katana Koshirae

Koto End of Muromachi period (Tenbun era/circa 1532-) Mino
Length of cutting edge 27.6cm Curvature 0.1cm Width of base 27.1mm Thickness of base 5.1mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

with) Black Stone-surface lacquered scabbard Chi'sa Katana Koshirae




Blade construction: Long Hira-zuruki Tanto, rather in higher side Iori-mune, a bit on thinner side in Kasane, almost no curvature. There is well harmonized ratio of Mihaba to the length and less degree of tapering from base to the Kissaki holding a swelling upper Fukura. The entire blade shows a typical shape for higher cutting performance rather than thrust in flourish during in later Muromachi period. (click HERE for high resolution of the blade photograph)
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is outstanding Itame mixing with flowing Masame-hada ware mostly appears along both back ridge of Mune. The surface is covered in Ji-nie (hard metal granules over the surface) with Chikei (darkish gleaming lines) activity. Speckled sparkling reflection so called Shirake-utsuri appears on surface.
Horimono (carving): Koshi-hi groove in front and Gomabashi parallel grooves on the other side, chiselled half way onto Nakago.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Swelling Notare with the indication of Gunome, clove outline of Choji and Togari-ha high and low in different angles. Quenching line is covered with a bit on stronger side of Nie. Foggy Nioi granules is perceived in the interior of temper where abundant Nie-Ashi and floating YOU also expansive short lines of Nie Sunagashi are perceived.
Temper of tip (boshi) : The temper of tip becomes stronger the Nie granules, brighter the Nioi, forms an irregular Gunome in medium circle in Jizo-stature shape then turns back deeply.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is relatively short, unaltered UBU original, one peg hole of Mekugi-ana. U-shaped Kurijiri bottom shape. Crossing Higaki file marks.The classical signature is inscribed in front 2 character KANENORI 兼則.

KANENORI 兼則 whose founder is Naoe-shizu 直江志津 school in Nanboucho period had played major role of San-ami school 三阿弥派 during Muromachi period. Some of KANENORIs had accepted an invitation from powerful regional clans and went up to major cities such as Echizen, E'chu, Owari or Shinshu domain during end Muromachi early Edo period.
KANENORI 兼則 made the great rumor being spread as Supreme Sharp Cutting performance "Yoki-wazamono" 良業物 to meet with increasing demands from brave Samurais.

The subject Tanto is created in well harmonized proportion of Mihaba to Nagasa that was designed for supplementary usage for the Katana. Hirazukuri-construction works well for cutting through the openings of armor or helmet, Itame forging ware of functional mixture with hard and soft steel is designed for durable construction.
This prominent tanto has been treasured by powerful legitimate Samurais in generations and deeply admired for the Supreme Sharp performance of the risen Mino-tradition and it still remains excellent condition over the passage of almost 500 years abounding with classical beauty.

with) Black Stone-surface lacquered scabbard Chi'sa Katana style Koshirae
(click HERE for entire Koshirae in front and HERE for the other side / click HERE for each fitting)
  • Fuchi : Clove Choji and Karakusa arabesque design, Shakudo Nanako-ji ground, Gold Iroe
  • Kashira: KOTOBUKI 寿 character and folding Fan design, Shakudo Nanako-ji, Gold Iroe
  • Menuki : Mo'kko crest arabesque design, Shakudo Katabori, Gold Iroe
  • Kozuka : Shōjō 猩々図 motif, Shakudo Nanako-ji surface, Takabori carving, Gold Iroe, unsigned
  • Tsuba : Cross rectangular shape, Iron ground, Silver inlay, Sayagata pattern design, unsigned
  • Tsuka : White rayskin, Black silk cord Moro-hineri style lozenge wrap
Copper ground double layers silver foiled Habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-saya plain wood mounting.
Good old polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data :
Honma Kunzan/Ishii Masakuni, Nihonto meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975
Sugiura Yoshiyuki/Suzuki Takuo, Muromachi-ki Mino-toko no Kenkyu, Ribun shuppan, 2006